Penaeus monodon-type baculovirus (MBV) is a DNA virus that infects postlarvae and early juveniles
of shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Several variants of this virus occur through nucleotide analysis of its genomic
DNA. In the present study, a one-step PCR method was developed for the detection of the Philippine isolates
of MBV by designing PCR primers on the least conserved region of the Philippine MBV. Using genomic DNA
of MBV-infected shrimp postlarvae, the PCR assay amplified a 193-bp PCR product. Its sensitivity was
comparable to the published PCR assays. The strain-specific primers did not cross-react with other DNA
viruses including White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis
Virus (IHHNV) and hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV). This PCR assay could be used for regular monitoring
and surveillance of MBV in shrimp as well as tracing the movement of the Philippine MBV in shrimp farms
in different geographic regions.